Electron Spin Resonance Studies of Irradiated Polyethylene. II. Considerations on the Decays of Free Radicals

Abstract

Decays of the free radicals of an alkyl type trapped in irradiated polyethylene were investigated by means of electron spin resonance method. It was found that, in the temperatures ranged from 77°K to 350°K, there are three regions of temperatures, near 140°K, 200°K and 240°K, at each of which alkyl type free radicals decay rather “transitionally”. These regions are corresponding to the temperature regions of mechanical dispersions in polyethylene except that near 200°K. Decays of the free radicals were considered in connection with the molecular motion of polyethylene associated with the mechanical dispersion. The relations between the narrowing of line width and the decay of free radicals were also considered briefly.